From what I read, the Windows 10 Spring Update will be available for manual download starting Monday, April 30th. Starting May 8th, it will be available for general distribution, which means that MS will start pushing it to users' PCs who are on the Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted), which is most users (other than business organizations). So, Flex SSDR users be aware that updates will be coming and if you haven't made adjustments to your system, it will most likely be installed when you least expect it over the next few weeks and months. There are methods for delaying or blocking such an update, although eventually you will need it since MS will no longer support older versions sometime in the future. (This does not apply to Maestro or "M" model users since those systems have an embedded Windows OS which is not updateable by users.)

There is a way of holding off the download of Windows updates with Win 10 Home Edition. It's to do with using a WiFi connection for the PC and setting the WiFi access point as a 'metered connection'. To do this first disconnect any Ethernet connection and connect the PC to the Internet via a WiFi connection. Then

1.
Point and left-click on the Window icon (bottom
left-hand corner)

2.
Point and left-click on settings (the gear cog)

3.
A window titled “Windows Settings” should open

4.
Point and left-click on “Network and Internet”

5.
The window should now be titled “Network Status”

6.
Point and click on “wiFi” on the left-hand side

7.
The window should now be titled “Wi-Fi”

8. The Access point SSID to which your PC is connected
will show just below the WiFi ON slider

9.
Double left-click on the SSID icon

10.
The window now has the title of the Access Point
SSID

11.
Scroll down to ‘Metered connection’ and set the
slider to ON

Whilst the 'metered connection' is set the updates will show as 'awaiting download', in the Windows update window, with a button to click to start the download. This gives you time to do the housekeeping that Tim has recommended elsewhere on this thread.

the 1803 update is currently 'held' - I'll sort things out tomorrow after a good sleep!

The fact that 'Microsoft will no longer support a product' does NOT stop that product working. MS updates are well known source of problems to many, many users and constant source of irritation to many more.

I have Windows 7 on my main computers but still run Dos on one machine and XP on another, neither have been supported for years but they both still work and do the job I use them for.When I was still working, MS Updates were a constant source of income for me as a computer engineer,

As Craig said, create a restore point NOW and if possible make a full backup of your drive using something like Acronis so you can always get back to where you were before the dreaded update. Time spent backing up is seldom wasted.

The original post and my reply were basically to alert Smart SDR users of impending Windows 10 major updates which have caused some Flex users problems in the past.

My statement that older Windows 10 versions will not be updated did not imply that they will cease to function. Windows XP still functions, and out of my 9 personally owned PCs, 1 of them still runs Windows XP, but in a specific environment that runs only one program and has specialized and very limited Internet connectivity. To run older versions of Windows limits your ability to safely survive in a connected world. Windows 7 is still updated with security patches. Some of the older Windows 10 builds are not, and those, like my Windows XP, are security risks. Eventually Windows 7 users will cease to receive such patches. It is currently on extended support until January 14, 2020. So those users will need to upgrade to Windows 10 soon thereafter to maintain proper security for their OS. Also, Flex will not support Smart SDR on a version of Windows no longer supported by Microsoft.

I went through the pains of converting to Windows 10 a few years back, but once I (and Microsoft) worked out the bugs, I found it to be a reliable operating system, especially when it comes to running Smart SDR. Others' mileage may vary, but I would bet that most Windows 10 and Smart SDR problems are related to configuration issues, other third party software that exists on those systems, and day-to-day practices of those users.

Good job Microsoft stick it to your users again! Actually from what I have observed I dont think flex changes their software enough to have to put up with win 10 since none of my computers live on the internet YMMV. Soapbox pet peeve mode off. Just had to say it though.

I also recommend shutting down all running programs, like CAT and DAX before the upgrade starts.

Also, if you want to add an additional step that may provide some resilience to your SmartSDR configuration, you can uninstall all version of SmartSDR on your PC starting with the oldest first. On the last, most current version, answer NO to the question if you want to keep the DAX drivers. Without them installed, the Win10 Update will not try to carry them over to the new version of the operating system that is being loaded as the Win10 update. Then do the update and reinstall the latest version of SmartSDR and hopefully, you will be good to go.

Tim: I'm glad to hear you officially state that shutting down DAX and CAT prior to installation is a best practice. I have always done this and have never had any issues with those drivers on my fully updated Windows 10 Pro machine. In fact, I don't let DAX or CAT start at bootup of the PC, but rather have a script to start everything whenever I start SSDR, so if SSDR isn't running, neither are DAX or CAT. Works for me!

Build 1803 showed up here today. I did my usual procedure, ending CAT & DAX, then went ahead and let it download and install. My first attempt at running SSDR brought up the DAX driver error message. I then did a complete RevoPro uninstall of all Flex related software (3 versions of SSDR, VSP, and DAX drivers), rebooted the PC and reinstalled the latest version. Everything appears to be working fine now.